How to Install Carpet on Stairs With Rods

Subtract the runner's width from the stairs' width and divide this number by two. This gives you the width of the gap you will have on either side of the runner. Mark this measurement on each side of each stair to indicate the location of the runner's edges.

Cut tack strips 2 inches shorter than the runner's width, using tin snips. You will need one tack strip for each stair. Lay the tack strip on the bottom step's tread, about 1 inch from the second step's riser -- the vertical board leading up to the tread. Point the tack strip's tacks toward the second step. Nail this tack strip in place. Work your way up the stairway, with a strip on each stair's tread.

Measure from the front edge of the tack strip secured to the bottom step's tread to the step's nose and add 3 inches. Transfer this measurement to a piece of carpet pad and cut the pad with a utility knife. Then, cut the pad to the same length as the tack strips. Cut one pad for each step.

Place the carpet pad on the bottom step, with one edge tight against the tack strip secured to the tread. Staple this edge of the pad to the step, with one staple in each corner and then every 6 inches between them. Wrap the pad over the step's nose and hold it in place with staples in the nose's underside. Repeat with each step.

Unroll the runner up three stairs. Push the runner's end in the corner where the bottom step's riser meets the floor. Align the runner's edges with the marks you made in Step 1. Staple the runner's bottom edge to the bottom step's riser. Place one staple in each corner and then every 3 inches.

Push the runner tight across the bottom step's tread. Center a device called a knee kicker -- which can be rented -- on the step's tread about 2 inches in front of the tack strip. Hit the knee kicker with your knee to push the runner tighter and hook it over the tack strip's tacks. Move the kicker 3 inches to the left and repeat. Then put the kicker 3 inches to the right of center and repeat.

Hold a carpet tool in the corner where the bottom step's tread meets the second step's riser. Hit the carpet tool's handle with a rubber mallet to push the runner into the corner. Staple the runner to the riser, about 2 inches up from the bottom step's tread. Place one staple on each end and then every 3 inches.

Work your way up the staircase and follow the directions in Steps 5 through 7 to hold the runner in place. When you reach the top of the stairs, position the runner's end in the corner where the last riser meets the second floor and staple it.

Place two rod brackets on the bottom step's tread, one on either side of the runner. Push them tight in the corner where the tread meets the riser. Mark the bracket's screw holes and set them aside. Drill 1/16-inch pilot holes through each screw hole mark. Line up the brackets with the screw holes and attach them with the provided screws.

Measure the distance between the two brackets and transfer this measurement to a carpet rod. Cut the carpet rod to the required length, with a hacksaw. Fit the rod into the brackets and tight in the corner where the tread meets the riser.